NMSU team members Alejandro Schutte, Andrea Soler, Ashley Medina, Jazmine Arreola, and Joy Agbawodike received the Platinum Dairy Innovator Award and a $10,000 prize at the American Dairy Science Association’s annual meeting in Louisville, Kentucky. Courtesy/NMSU

Nuestro Corazón – Spanish for ‘Our Heart’ – features nearly 80 percent dairy content and delivers on both health and convenience, two top priorities for today’s consumers. Courtesy/NMSU

NMSU News:

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas — A team of food science students from New Mexico State University (NMSU) has earned national recognition for their innovative dairy-based snack, taking first place in the Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) New Product Competition.

Their product, Nuestro Corazón – Spanish for “Our Heart” – features nearly 80 percent dairy content and delivers on both health and convenience, two top priorities for today’s consumers. Judges selected the NMSU team for best addressing this year’s challenge: creating a dairy-forward product that supports heart health and weight management.

The team’s winning concept is a refrigerated snack pack pairing cheddar and mozzarella crackers with Greek yogurt-based spreads in bold flavors like chimichurri, harissa, and dulce de leche.

With each serving delivering more than 79 percent dairy content and 20 percent of the recommended daily value of protein, Nuestro Corazón is positioned as a smart solution for on-the-go lifestyles—supporting muscle maintenance, weight management, and cardiovascular wellness.

“We created a snack that combines nutrition with great taste—something that supports heart health without feeling like a ‘health food,’” Andrea Soler said. “Once participants learned about the protein and calcium content, their interest in buying the product skyrocketed.”

The experience also offered students a real-world glimpse into dairy product innovation—from concept development and ingredient optimization to shelf life and sensory testing.

“We learned so much about formulating with dairy,” Joy Agbawodike said. “This experience confirmed just how much potential dairy holds for innovation.”

DMI has hosted the New Product Competition annually since 2012, engaging student teams across the country in hands-on dairy innovation aligned with consumer trends—especially health and wellness. The program is part of national checkoff-led efforts to connect with younger generations and foster leadership within the dairy sector.

Dr. Rohit Kapoor, DMI’s vice president of product research and longtime competition manager, praised the creativity and dedication of the student teams. “I’m always astonished to see so much innovation and dairy-forward thinking from these students,” Kapoor said. “They are true innovators. It wasn’t just the finalists – every team brought ideas, enthusiasm and effort that exceeded expectations. I’m grateful to our dairy farmers for supporting this initiative that cultivates the next generation of industry leaders.”

Dairy MAX, the regional dairy council representing more than 700 dairy farm families across New Mexico and seven other states, applauds the NMSU team for advancing dairy innovation in our region.

“As an NMSU alumna, it’s incredibly rewarding to see students from my alma mater leading the way in dairy innovation,” Jennie McDowell said, chief strategy officer at Dairy MAX. “The work they’re doing is a source of pride not just for our farmers, but for the entire region. These students represent the next generation of leaders shaping the future of dairy.”

Additional Competition Highlights:

• Gold Dairy Innovator Award ($7,000): South Dakota State University – BalanceBloom, a pudding-like snack with 70 percent dairy content.
• Silver Dairy Innovator Award ($4,000): Clemson University – Cottage Crisps, a protein-rich snack featuring cottage cheese and whey.
• Finalists ($2,000 each): Teams from Oregon State University and Cornell University.

Alex Peterson, Missouri dairy farmer and chair of the United Dairy Industry Association, also served as a judge.

“As our industry continues to evolve and innovate, it’s essential that we invest in and empower the next generation,” Peterson said. “This competition shines a spotlight on future leaders who will shape the dairy foods industry with fresh ideas and passion.”

To learn more about the DMI product research team, visit Product Research Staff | U.S. Dairy. To learn more about the dairy checkoff, visit www.DairyCheckoff.com.

Top six products at the Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) New Product Competition. Courtesy/NMSU